lrc52's review against another edition
2.0
I don't get it. If I hadn't seen the photo in the back of the book, I would swear this book had been written by a man. The language felt masculine, the characters--ALL of the characters--felt wrought from masculine mind, (dare I say cis het even?), even the cop out ending.
There was no nuance in the characters and not a one of them did I like. It's pretty bad when the stereotypical "finance guy" is the most likable character in the book. Toby was whiny and pedantic; Rachel was portrayed as the bitch boss; and the narrator was boring af and bought into the age old trope that men are more interesting and better friends than women.
I know there was some feminist rhetoric towards the end, but by that time we had read enough about the worship of the Hunter S. Thompson character that it didn't ring true.
Reading this book was just blah blah blah for me. Nothing new under the sun.
*it is really hard for me to give anything 1 star, so this gets 2 stars because i did finish it.
There was no nuance in the characters and not a one of them did I like. It's pretty bad when the stereotypical "finance guy" is the most likable character in the book. Toby was whiny and pedantic; Rachel was portrayed as the bitch boss; and the narrator was boring af and bought into the age old trope that men are more interesting and better friends than women.
I know there was some feminist rhetoric towards the end, but by that time we had read enough about the worship of the Hunter S. Thompson character that it didn't ring true.
Reading this book was just blah blah blah for me. Nothing new under the sun.
*it is really hard for me to give anything 1 star, so this gets 2 stars because i did finish it.
lstandal's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
throatsprockets's review against another edition
5.0
How great to read a book that keeps me up until 1am, a book that is actually a book and not an outline for a movie or a pitch for a tv show but something that can only exist effectively on the printed page.
minty's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the ways in which this book was told in the most convoluted way. Whenever I start an audiobook that is read by a woman even when the main character is a man, I have to take a pause and wonder what the meaning of that is. It all comes out in this one, and pretty quickly, as the narrator inserts herself into the story.
The way the petty problems of rich people were detailed felt true and real.
The way the petty problems of rich people were detailed felt true and real.
Spoiler
The whole first and second sections, I saw Toby's points but kept thinking "I really am curious what this looks like from Rachel's POV," and then we get Rachel's POV and it was exactly what I expected. So in some ways this book was exactly as you'd imagine, and revealed little new. Also, is that what a fugue state looks like from the inside?chachke's review against another edition
5.0
The perspective of the book really impacts the read & there is a great twist at the end! Important conversation on emotional labor, domestic dynamics, and gendered roles.
natexy's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is the first book which I prefer the TV version. Though it could be because I watched it before I read it.
I think because I knew Rachel’s POV from the TV series, when I was reading it, Toby sounded so much more douchey and terrible than I would enjoy.
Also, the narrative style at the end of the book felt very whiny and self-victimising, which annoyed me a little.
Although I did not enjoy the style of writing as much as I thought it would, it was still a very engaging story which kept me hooked. Compelling enough for me to re-experience it on paper after the screen.
I liked how it explored many themes I am interested in, including femininity vs masculinity, childhood affecting one’s psyche, social climbing and its core motivations, divorce, friendship in adulthood, and more.
I think because I knew Rachel’s POV from the TV series, when I was reading it, Toby sounded so much more douchey and terrible than I would enjoy.
Also, the narrative style at the end of the book felt very whiny and self-victimising, which annoyed me a little.
Although I did not enjoy the style of writing as much as I thought it would, it was still a very engaging story which kept me hooked. Compelling enough for me to re-experience it on paper after the screen.
I liked how it explored many themes I am interested in, including femininity vs masculinity, childhood affecting one’s psyche, social climbing and its core motivations, divorce, friendship in adulthood, and more.
chirson's review against another edition
3.0
Whoa, how the other 2% lives.
It was quite readable: I liked the style and some of the structure worked well. But the central twist was so obviously telegraphed and so anticlimactic... The revelation that the protagonist's point of view could be one-sided or that women are judged more harshly was not much of a surprise.
I did find Rachel's background and some of her struggles quite poignant. But really, for all the talent I believe the author to have, there was just not enough there there.
It was quite readable: I liked the style and some of the structure worked well. But the central twist was so obviously telegraphed and so anticlimactic... The revelation that the protagonist's point of view could be one-sided or that women are judged more harshly was not much of a surprise.
I did find Rachel's background and some of her struggles quite poignant. But really, for all the talent I believe the author to have, there was just not enough there there.
mcscaries's review against another edition
3.0
Ok so to start with this was even verging into one star territory, like I had to force myself to keep going... it was so unnecessarily smutty and Toby was so unlikable, at least initially, but very glad I kept going because the final few chapters were INCREDIBLE! Will write a more eloquent review on insta but wow, couldn’t put it down towards the end!!
mariag's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
mwbuntin's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, maybe because I am the age and place in life that these characters are at. The themes of women feeling stuck, the staleness that marriage can become in your 40s, and managing careers, relationships and life in general are ones I can relate to. Marriage is hard. Divorce is hard. I think this book did a good job of showing that. Plus, I thought the writing was good.